Al-Qadisiyah Journal of Veterinary Medicine Sciences

The study aim to investigate the histological structure of lungs of local chicken and compare them with the other species of birds with foundation of the differences. Ten birds of local chicken 9 months old were dissected. The lungs were takeout, examined, fixed with formalin, and specimens in cross and longitudinal sections were taken for histological examinations. Grossly we notice that the lungs are symmetrical structures located in the dorsal part of thoracic cavity at the level of the second rib, not reach to the last rib. Histologically seen the lung has many lobules which contain a central area of tertiary bronchi surrounded by pulmonary parenchymal capsule, The connective tissue have branches of pulmonary artery and vein with some elastic fibers. The Tertiary bronchi lead to several atria which pass to air capillaries which are the terminal branches of bronchi and the area of gas exchange instead of alveoli in mammals.

The study was carried out for three months at one of commercial poultry farms, from the 1st March to the 1st of June 2013 to investigate the effect of dried Saccharomyces cerevisiae feed additive on some hematological traits of Japanese Quail. One hundred and fifty of Japanese Quail birds of sixty days old were utilized and divided into three treatment groups with two replicates (25 birds of each one). The first group (T1) fed on basal ration without adding of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and represented as control group. The T2 fed on basal ration plus 0.1% of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and T3 fed on the basal ration with 0.2% of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Results were revealed that the third treatment were significantly (P<0.05) higher in RBC count, Hb, and PCV at 4th, and12th week, while there was no significant (P>0.05) in WBC between the treatments. Birds receiving 0.2% dried Saccharomyces cerevisiae in (T3) had higher total protein and significantly decreased (P<0.05) of cholesterol and uric acid concentration, with no significant ( P>0.05) changes of GPT, and GOT enzymes at 4th, and 12th week, while there was significant decrease ( P<0.05)of GOT, and GPT at 12thWeeks of age compared with control group. From this we conclude that the use of feed containing dried Saccharomyces cerevisiae has new means in improving the qualities of the blood to the rest of the Quail by improving the productive and physiological performance of birds.

The current study was involved the detection of Toxoplasma gondii parasite in domestic cats in AL-Diwania governorate using rapid cassette test and study the histopathological changes of some organs in infected cats. Ten cats were collected during the period 2012-2013. Serum samples were taken from cats for testing with rapid cassette test. Results of the test indicated the presence of three cats infected with the parasite in percentage of 30%, two sera of which contained on the antibody of the IgG type by 66.66% while the third serum sample contains the IgG and IgM antibodies together by 33.34%, and the higher percentage for the presence of antibodies in serum of cats were 66.66% of the IgG antibody, and the lowest was 33.34% to the IgG and IgM antibodies together. The histopathological sections of parasite-infected cats indicate presence of lesions in liver, brain, and kidney. The liver lesions were characterized by the presence of vascular congestion as well as vacuolation of hepatocytes, with clear fatty degeneration and necrosis, and presence of tissue cysts of parasite. The cross section of brain were characterized by presence of calcified tissue cyst with filtration of astrocytes and microglia. In kidney sections the histopathological changes were presence of renal glomeruli calcification and dilation of renal convoluted tubules.

This study was undertaken in Al-Qadisiya province during the period from December 2012 to March 2013 to determine the levels of cadmium and lead in raw milk of cows, sheep and goats in compared with the permissible levels reported by the international organizations. The study was included the analysis of (150) raw milk samples (50) samples per each species of animals from different regions of the province involving Diwaniya center, Sanyia, Shafeia Daghara, and Al-Hamza, (10) samples from each region. Results of the statistical analysis showed that there was a significant differences ( p˂0.05) in levels of Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) among the studied animals, the highest level of Cadmium and Lead were (0.251 and 0.801) mg /L respectively for sheep milk and the lowest values (0.098 and 0.311) mg / L respectively for cow's milk, and also shown significant difference (P<0.05) among different regions where the highest level of Cadmium and Lead were (0.184 and 0.624) mg / L respectively for AL-Hamza district and the lowest level were (0.144 and 0.507) mg / L respectively for AL-Daghara region. These values were a higher than permissible levels (0.005) ppm for Cadmium and (0.02) mg / L of milk for Lead.

The study was aimed to investigate the mycotic mastitis in sheep during the period from October 2011 to May 2012 in different areas of Al-Diwaniya province. 253 ewes were examined, and from which 500 milk samples were collected (495 samples from apparently healthy ewes that examined by California Mastitis Test (CMT ) in addition to five samples from sheep infected with clinical mastitis) for isolation and identification of yeasts and molds adopted the method of culturing on Saboaurad Dextrose and Corn meal agar in addition to Chrome agar and biochemical tests as well as specific yeast kits (Integral system yeast plus) for diagnosing the mycotic agents. Results were indicate that the incidence of mastitis in ewes was 17.8%, while the percentage of mycotic mastitis was 9.4%, (0.4% and 9% of clinical and subclinical forms respectively). Yeasts were isolated and identified grossly by colony shape, size, and color, and by biochemical testing which represents 9.61% of the fungal causes, and the yeasts isolates were Candida famata and Rhodotorula rubra from the clinical cases of mastitis only. Molds 90.38% also were isolated, as a high isolates of Asperigllus niger 28.84%, Asperigllus flavus 23%, Asperigllus fumigauts 17.30%, Pencillium spp 13.33%, Asperigllus terrus 5.76%, and the least percentage of isolation 3.84% was of the fusarium spp.
Key words: Mycotic mastitis, sheep, yeasts, molds.

The study aim to evaluate and compare phenotypic and genotypic features of methicillin sensitive (MSSA), and methicillin resistance (MRSA) S. aureus isolates. Out of 113 infected wound swabs from outpatient clinic in Babylon/Iraq, only (31) (27.43%) S. aureus isolates were isolated by selective medium, and cefoxitine disk diffusion was used to differentiate MSSA from MRSA in order to study the comparative phenotypic and genotypic features. Vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was used also. The PCR assay was used for direct detection of methicillin (mec A) and vancomycin (van A) antibiotics resistance gene in S. aureus isolates. Results showed that (17) out of (31) isolates were MRSA, fifteen of them harbor Mec A gene. While only (14) out of (31) isolates were MSSA, two of them harbor the Mec A gene, and there was no single vancomycin resistance in all isolates. Two (2) MRSA isolates have intermediate vancomycin susceptibility (MIC 8-16μg/ml) and just two (2) isolates having Van A gene. MRSA nearly resist all β lactam, cloxacillin, gentamycin and ciprofloxacin, while the MSSA isolates were sensitive for the commonly used antibiotic with high resistant rate to penicillin, amoxicillin and amoxicillin clavulante. In conclusion, MRSA has become a major public health problem with decreased susceptibility to antibiotics that necessate the availability of highly sensitive diagnostic test like PCR with routine laboratory techniques (based on the detection of the mec A gene) (or cefoxitine disc diffusion method) to differentiate MSSA from MRSA and the availability of the highly active antibiotic in order to control their spreads as early as possible.

The present study was conducted during the period from October 2013 to May 2014 in Wasit province to detect the infection of T. gondii in sheep using molecular and serological methods. Three hundred and five samples (300 blood samples and 5 placentas) were collected from suspected sheep. The serum samples were separated and examined by latex ʺagglutination testʺ to detect Toxoplasmosis serologically. Then 100 blood samples and 5 placental tissue samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to detect the infection molecularly. The Serological results showed that 33.33% were positive (31.33% with chronic infection and 2% with acute infection). It was noted that the highest rate of infection was among the ages which is equal to or more than 3 years (≥3 years), reaching 45.55%, with significant difference (P≤0.05) between these ages. The present study indicated a lack of months effect on the distribution of parasite infection rates where these different months recorded relatively close rate ranged between 31.4% -35.97% with no significant difference (P<0.05). Regarding to polymerase chain reaction test, when a fragment of 399bp was amplified from B1 gene, the result showed that 4% of blood samples and 80% of placental tissue samples were positive to this test. In conclusion the Toxoplasma infection in sheep is relatively high in Wasit province.

The objective of this study was to find the relationship of acidity (pH) among following constituents: ruminal fluid, blood, milk, and feces, and evaluating it as an indicator and diagnostic tool for this disease in crossbreed dairy cows in Al-Diwaniyah province. A randomized selection of crossbreed dairy cows in Al-Diwaniyah province in two seasons Winter and Autumn (Sep 2013 – Feb 2014), about 427 total heads, 90 as SARA group and 50 as control. Our results of mean values of pH in the subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) group in the ruminal fluid, milk, blood, and fecal samples were (5.22), (6.70), (7.0), and (5.56) respectively, which were different and lowest from the control group. The data obtained were processed statistically and compared together to detect the presence of significance revealed that pH of ruminal fluids and pH of fecal samples took the significant differences between groups (p≤0.05). While there were no significant difference in the milk and blood pH between the control and SARA sets (p≥0.05). Moreover, the study revealed that pH levels were in both rumenocentesis and stomach tubation sets did not have any significant difference (P ≥ 0.05). According to the results, which were confident, can be considering the pH is an important diagnostic tool to identify the SARA in dairy cows.

The adrenal glands are complex endocrine glands regulating multiple physiological processes in the animal body. This study was carried out on the adrenal glands during two postnatal periods of local rabbit. Twelve animals regardless of the sex divided equally two age periods (1, 15 days age). The adrenal glands were collected and fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for cortical tissue and Orth’s solution for medullary tissue. The sections of 6 μm thicknesses were stained by Haemotoxyllin and Eosin stain (H&E), periodic acid Schiff stain (PAS) and Van Gieson stains. These specimens were conducted for histomorphologic investigation applied in both age periods. Anatomically the glands of local rabbits were paired white to creamy in color, oval to crescent in shape. It was embedded in fat, lying cranial to the cranial pole of kidney within the retroperitoneal cavity similar to these of other mammals. The left adrenal gland was far off from the left kidney as a compared with the right gland. Histologically the adrenal capsule observed as one layer in the two age periods. The zona glomerulosa appeared as an arch of cells at sub capsular region, while the zona fasiculata and reticular zone were undifferentiated at day one old and gradually developed with age. Medulla composed of central vein surrounding by chromaffin cells.

This study was designed to prepare and evaluate multivalent live attenuated (IBV) vaccine (lyophilized seed) from the commercial IBH120, 4\91 and MA5 strains in ALkindy Company for Drug and Vaccines Production, to reduce economical losses and increase the broad protection against infectious bronchitis disease in chickens. The viruses inoculated via chorioallontoic cavity route with 0.1 ml at 9-11 days emberyonated eggs obtained from unvaccinated layers against IBV, and were passaged for several times, then three equal doses of the strains were mixed, and the embryonated eggs were inoculated with 0.1 ml of the mixed vaccine. After 72 hours the allontoic fluids (Vaccine) were collected. The results of the infective dose of the new vaccine were 103.2 EID50 /Bird. This multivalent live attenuated IB vaccine was tested for (safety, purity, potency, and sterility test) according to the international protocol steps of vaccine production. Efficacy of multivalent vaccine was evaluated (depending on ELISA, HI, and challenge test) by using 160 one day old (Ross 308) chicks divided into four equal groups (40 chicks of each group) reared in well isolated places. Group (A) was vaccinated with three doses (0.3 ml) of multivalent live attenuated IB vaccine, group (B) was vaccinated with two doses (0.2 ml), group (C) was vaccinated with one dose (0.1 ml) of the multivalent live attenuated IB vaccine via ocular route at the 8th day of age, and group (D) was leaved without vaccination as a control group. Blood was collected at (1, 8, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42) days for ELISA test. The mean titer of maternal immunity at day one of age was 4849.8±1161.8, decreased to 69.9±35.92 at 8th day of age before vaccination. The serum of control group was seen avuncular from IB antibodies at the 14th day of age. The experiment showed a significant differences (p<0.05) titers resulting from use of different doses (0.3 ml, 0.2 ml and 0.1 ml) at age of 14 days, it were 255.30±15.00, 736.60±94.00 and 545.50±17.00 respectively in comparison with zero in control group. The challenge test carried out for different groups with (IB- field isolated Variant 2 strain 105 EID50 / bird which was supplied from Veterinary Directorate) at 28 days old with 0.5 ml through ocular route. Ten birds from each group were taken randomly. According to the clinical signs, morbidity and mortality rate, gross lesion, and the antibody titer, the results carried out that protection rate in group B was higher than others groups, then group C and group A respectively, the test revealed significant differences (p<0.05) between the vaccinated groups, and also between vaccinated groups and control group. This study was concluded the possibility of production IB multivalent live attenuated vaccine (broad protection vaccine) using different IB Vaccine strains in chickens.

The study was planned to evaluate the prevalence of HSV-1 infection, and the use of rhabdomyosarcoma and L20B as cell lines for the primary propagation of human herpes simplex1, by using modern diagnostic techniques. Study were involved a collection of 60 samples from dermal lesions, randomly selected from population of ages ranges from 15 to 45 years. These samples were collected during a period extended from February to September 2013. Primarily, these samples were investigated by RT-PCR technique directed to certify human herpes simplex-1 infections. Bosphore® HSV-1&2 Genotyping Kit v1(Anatolia geneworks, Turkey) was used for the detection protocol. From total of 47 HSV-1 positive samples in PCR step, 20 samples were cultured using two cell lines (Rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) and L20B cell lines) in an attempt for virus isolation and evaluation capability of these cells for HSV-1 propagation. Results of applied PCR revealed that HSV-1 DNA was correlated with 47(78.3%) positive of the total cases investigated. In the attempt to HSV-1 isolation, both RD and L20B cell lines were demonstrate a specific HSV-1 cytopathic effect. Herpes simplex virus type 1 had been propagated in 19 (95%) of the 20 PCR positive isolates by RD cell line, while 17:20 (85%) HSV-1 isolates were positive on L20B cells. In conclusions: The thermal protocol for Bosphore® HSV-1 Genotyping Kit v1allows very rapid detection of HSV-1 DNA in dermal lesions. It is finding to be laborsaving and show sufficient sensitivity. The RD and L20B cell lines are efficient as cell lines for the propagation of HSV-1, for that It is well recommended to achieve future therapeutic studies on HSV-1.

Serum progesterone profiles during estrus phase, gestation period and parturition in twenty female Shami goats (Capra hircus) aged 2-3 years were monitored. Estrus was synchronized by intra-vaginal sponges (containing 60 mg of medroxy progesterone acetate (MPA)) kept for 14 days followed by intramuscular injection of 300 IU of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) immediately after sponges withdrawal. Does were monitored for signs of estrus by means of an apronized detector buck. Those which came into estrus were hand-mated to known fertility bucks. Following the service, blood sampling was carried out at day 0 (at estrus phase) then weekly till parturition. Serum was isolated and utilized for progesterone assay. Progesterone was assayed by radioimmunoassay (RIA) methods. Observation regarding the length of gestation and litter size were recorded. Results were indicated that the monthly gestation, means of progesterone concentration were (4.8±0.70, 5.85±0.88, 8.95±0.72, 9.15±0.33 & 4.37±0.23) ng/ml in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th months of pregnancy respectively. Monthly progesterone concentration in does bearing single fetus for the above mentioned months of pregnancy were (4.1±0.33, 5.0±0.21, 7.1±0.49, 7.5±0.69, and 2.05±0.31) ng/ml respectively, while in those bearing twin were (5.8±0.36, 6.2±0.42, 10.0±0.21, 9.9±0.28, and 6.5±0.62) ng/ml respectively. In conclusion, the progesterone assay proved to be a reliable method for detection of estrus and early pregnancy and predicting litter size and parturition date.

The study aimed to detect the external and internal parasites and its association with intestinal pathological changes in wild pigeons at Sumel region-Duhok Governorate. Samples of skin (plumage), intestinal contents, and intestinal tissue were taken from 100 adult pigeons from March to August 2012 for detection of parasites and for histopathological examination. Results were showed that, 6 (6 %) pigeons feather samples were found positive for external parasites (Columbicola columbae), 22 (22%) of fecal samples were found positive for internal parasites (Raillietina tetragona), whereas no trematod and nematode were found. A total of 19 (19%) infected pigeons were appeared pathological changes in intestine, which are manifested by mild catarrhal inflammation and excessive mucoid masses. In conclusion we found that the wild pigeons infested with parasites, and acting as a reservoir and spreading of parasites to other avian populations including poultry.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are defined as strains of E. coli that produce Shiga toxins (stx), which known as important causes of diarrhea in sheep and cattle. This study was conducted to determine of Shiga toxin 1 producing E. coli isolates from diarrheal samples of sheep and cattle. Samples were collected from different fields in Diwanyia city. A total of 50 diarrhea samples (25 of sheep and 25 of cattle) were subjected to bacterial DNA extraction by using (AccuPrep® Stool DNA Extraction Kit). The extracted DNA subjected to Real-Time PCR technique for detection of Shiga toxin 1 (stx1) gene. Results display that sheep are more prevalence to shedding the Shiga toxin 1 producing E. coli in (5/25) (20%), while in cattle (2/25) (8%) positive samples. In conclusion the using of Real-Time technique was shown high specific and rapid method in direct detection of (stx1) gene and most the sheep and cattle which infected by diarrhea carried the Shiga toxin 1 producing E. coli.

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinico-pathological changes in the mammary gland of Awassi ewes inoculated with a slime producing Staphylococcus aureus. Five ewes were examined clinically by visual inspection and palpation of the teats and udder halves for local and generalized reaction and milk samples were collected in sterile test tubes aseptically for bacterial examination and California mastitis test (CMT) to confirm that these ewes were free from intramammary infection prior to inoculation. The ewes were inoculated with one mL PBS containing 7x102 CFU of slime producing Staph. aureus through the teat canal. Post inoculation, all the ewes were examined clinically and bacteriologically daily for appearances of clinical signs, then the ewes were slaughtered 6 days later, one centimeter cubes from different parts of the mammary gland were obtained and fixed in 10% buffered formalin, processed, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and examined for presence of pathological lesions. The ewes showed systemic disturbances and developed mastitis within 24 h post inoculation, the body temperature, pulse and respiratory rates were elevated accompanied with depression and loss of appetite. The main lesions in the udder characterized by fibrosis of interstitial tissues with polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) and mononuclear leukocyte infiltration as well as suppuration in the wall of necrotic milk ducts in addition to abscess surrounded by fibrous connective tissue. This study clearly showed that the slime producing Staph. aureus induced severe mastitis in lactating Awassi ewes, and is the first description of some clinico-pathological features of the ewes mastitis experimentally induced by this organism in Iraq.